Fellowship basketball loop returns to North Shore

Courtesy of John A. EddieLeague directors John A. Eddie, left, and Harold Young, right, present a plaque to Ed Watkins, one of the volunteers at the last youth unity weekend.

After taking a year off, the Men’s Fellowship Summer Basketball League returned to McDonald’s Park last weekend.

The age 35-and-over league will have special meaning this time around. The season is being dedicated in memory of Anthony Illidge, one of the founders of the league, who was murdered this past February at the age of 54.

“We had a moment of silence for him before the first game,” said John A. Eddie, league vice-president and its community relations officer. “We invited members of his family to the opener and gave them a plaque in Anthony’s honor.”

Since its inception in 1993, the non-profit grassroots league has always been about two things: Having fun and improving relations throughout the neighborhood.

Squads in the six-team league will face off against each other twice with games played on the weekends at McDonald’s Park, located on the corner of Broadway and Myrtle Ave.

“We hope to finish the first weekend in August, and usually end with an all-star game against a team from another borough,” said Eddie, who runs the league with Harold Young, one of the organization’s original founders.

This season of the Menâs Fellowship Summer Basketball League is being dedicated to Anthony Illidge, pictured above, who was murdered this past February.

Another annual Fellowship tradition is slated for the ensuing week – the Youth Unity Basketball weekend. “We have four divisions (12-, 14-, 16- and 18-and-under) with two-to-four teams in each division — as many as 160 kids,” said Eddie of the event, which has been a staple since 2001. “And we try to have a girls’ game every year, too.”

The weekend is free of charge for the young players, with league organizers making sure to impart some sound advice to the kids.

“We stress to them the importance of staying in school,” Eddie said. “Basketball is a great game, but there’s no promise that you’ll be a superstar. You need to have an education to fall back on.”

The league often conducts raffles to raise money for the Youth Unity Basketball weekend, and is always on the lookout for sponsors. For those wishing to help sponsor the event, contact either Eddie (347-515-4107) or Young (917-474-0491).